Preschool Physical Examination and Immunization Requirements
Physical Examination Requirements (OAC 3301-37-08):
- Preschool students who do not meet the physical examination guidelines will not be excluded, Administrative Guideline 2280.01.
- All parents of students will continue to receive reminders prior to the physical being due as well as afterwards. Notification will be a minimum of 30 days before the physical is due, every 2 weeks for one month after the physical is due and monthly thereafter.
- All notifications regarding the physical examination must be documented. Clinic notes will be written for all telephone calls. Copies of letters sent home will be placed in the green health record.
- Parents will be given suggestions and assistance on clinics and other sites where the parent may be able to get a physical appointment for their children and registration for public medical assistance if they do not have insurance.
- If a parent needs assistance with things like transportation to a physical, clinic staff will provide information to the parent regarding “Medicaid Provide A Ride” or refer the parent to the counselor for assistance.
- Parents will be encouraged to give the clinic an appointment card for the scheduled physical examination date if the physical is past due.
- The preschool teacher or clinic staff may request an IEP team meeting for any student whose physical examination is not current and who has documented medical issues and/or medical procedures administered at school. The concern to be discussed is the safety of said student and the assurance that the student is not a health risk to the other children.
Immunization Requirements (ORC 3313.671):
- There is no legally enforceable requirement from ODH and ODE to exclude a preschool student for not having a record of completed immunization records on file. ODH and ODE defer to the district policies and procedures. Mt. Healthy City Schools Administrative Guideline 5111 states that a student’s complete immunization record will be submitted upon enrollment, but does allow for a 30 day temporary enrollment for records to be completed. Problematic because unimmunized children are a health risk to students and staff who have medical issues and may be immune-compromised.
- Not excluding a student who does not have a physical is not the same as not excluding a student who does not have his/her immunizations because the risk is to others in addition to the risk to the non-immunized student.
- The current plan is to continue to require immunizations upon enrollment. If a student does not have the immunization record or the immunization record is not complete, clinic staff will continue to assist the family in obtaining the needed documents and/or immunizations.
- If a student should enroll and begin school AND the immunizations requirements are not met within 30 days, clinic staff will notify the preschool teacher and the District Nurse.
Health Record (OAC 3301-37-08):
- The medication orders and EMA will be in respective notebooks per current practice and do not need to be in the green health folder.
- The medication order paperwork and EMA will be filed in the green health folder at the end of the school year.
Written 12/2/11